What to Do When You’re Waiting for a Tow Truck

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that no one is exempt from experiencing car trouble. Between car accidents and breakdowns, there are countless factors that can bring about a driver’s need for a fast and reliable towing service company. In the event that you do find yourself stranded, it’s important to call for a tow truck as soon as possible. But what should you do while you’re waiting for help to arrive? Below is a list of highly recommended steps for car owners to follow in order to prepare for a tow truck and remain safe while doing so.

Move Your Vehicle to Safety

Car trouble of any kind is always stressful and can be very scary, but remaining calm and being prepared to act after an accident or breakdown is one of the most important and responsible things you can do while waiting for a tow truck. Carefully moving your car out of harm’s way is the first necessary action to take. If you’re safely able to do so, direct your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and away from the flow of traffic. Doing this helps to protect you, your passengers, your car, and other drivers on the road, and better assists your tow truck driver when the time comes to hook up your vehicle.

Keep Your Hazard Lights On

Whether or not you’re able to successfully move your vehicle to the side of the road, using your hazard lights is imperative. Hazard lights serve two major purposes: they make your vehicle visible to other drivers (especially at night) and alert others that there is a problem with your vehicle. Typically, when other drivers approach a vehicle that has its hazard lights on, they will act accordingly and change lanes to allow for plenty of space. Using your hazard lights during the process of pulling over, and keeping them on while you wait for the tow truck company, will help ensure the safety of you and other vehicles while alerting the tow truck driver to your location.

Use Reflective Triangles or Road Flares

If you do not already own an emergency roadside kit, we highly recommend you get one! Emergency roadside kits are just as important as spare tires, if not more so. In addition to using the hazard lights, utilizing the cones or reflective triangles provided in emergency roadside kits is a safety measure that is especially important if you were unable to move your vehicle off the road. Setting up cones or reflective triangles behind your vehicle signals to oncoming traffic to use caution when approaching and passing.

Collect and Remove Your Personal Belongings

Once your car is towed, there’s no way of knowing how soon you’ll have access to it again, especially in the event of a collision. So, gathering your belongings and the things you know you’ll need in the near future—like your wallet, keys, and proof of insurance/registration—is a valuable way to pass the time as you wait for a towing company. Having everything you need ready to take with you before the tow truck arrives makes for a faster and easier towing process.

Stay Put and Stay Safe

Staying in your car is one of the safest things you can do when experiencing car trouble (as long as your vehicle is safely off the road). In fact, the only time you should step out of the car is when you’re setting up your warning equipment. We also recommend that when sitting in your car and waiting for the tow truck, you keep the doors locked and windows closed at all times. This way, you are protected from passing vehicles, weather, and anyone suspicious who tries to approach you. In the event that someone comes to check on you (who isn’t your hired tow truck company), open your window only an inch or so to talk to them. Do NOT accept rides from anyone but the truck driver that has been dispatched to you.

At Duvall’s Towing, we want all drivers on the road, especially those in distress, to stay safe and secure. If you’ve been in an accident or collision, or if you’ve experienced an unexpected breakdown, we urge you to follow these safety measures and call Duvall’s Towing at 561-432-8488.